Pick for stringed musical instruments



June 30, 1936. DQPYERA I 2,045,571

PICK FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed May 15, 1954 Ej;. E 1 13' 6554 53 INVENTOR.

ATI'O EY.

Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES ATEN T OFF I C E .PIGK .FORSTRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS '10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in picks for playing stringedmusical instruments, such as guitars, banjos, .etc.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved fingerpick .for playing stringed musical instruments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel finger pick whichis shaped to conform to the configuration of the finger on which it isworn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a finger pick which maybe adjusted to fit Various sizes of fingers.

Other objects and the-advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing myimproved thumb finger pick;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end View of the pick shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--'3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing .a modified form of thumb pick;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 66 offFig. 5;

Fig. "7 is a side elevation of an index finger pick;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on'line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing a modified form of indexfinger pick;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section taken on line I|ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a modified gripping means; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken on line l3l3 of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have indicated myimproved pick generally at Ill. The pick I0 is a thumb pick and includesa substantially elliptical body portion I2 having a pick portion I3extending therefrom, adjacent one end of the ellipse, .and at rightangles to the axis of the ellipse.

As shown the device 10 is made of two pieces of sheet metal I4 and I5such as German silver. The sections l4 and I5 each include flat sections16 which are triangular in shape as indicated at I! and are securedtogether as by soldering to form the pick portion l3. The section I 5curves outwardly and upwardly from the pick portion as indicated at l8and extends a predetermined distance thereabove where it is bentoutwardly at anangle-to form a flange IS.

The section I4 like the section I5 curves outwardly-and upwardly fromthe pick .por'tion as indicated at 20 butin a more flattened curve. Thesection [4 then-curves inward towards the section l5 and then curvesdownward as .indicated at :21 and engages the inner face of the curvedportion l-8 of the section I5. 'On the curved portion 2| of the sectionI l I provide an outstruck lip .22 on which anut 23 is secured as bysoldering it thereto.

Both the flange l9 and the flange 22 are suitably apertured to receive abo'ltmember 24 which includes an enlargedIhead 25. The head 25 of thebolt engages the face of the flange l9 opposite the flange 22 and thethreaded shank of the 'bolt engages the threadsof the nut 23. Thus itwillbe seen .that'by rotating the bolt 24 in the correct direction vtheportion '21 of the section 14 will be moved either towards or away fromthe portion I8 of the section 15 thereby either increasing or decreasingthe size of the elliptical body portion I2.

The device Ill is adapted to be worn with the curved portion 20 engagingthe pad of the thumb and .as clearly shown in Figj3 the sides of thebody portion converge towards the end 26 to conform to the taper of thethumb. Furthermore, the curved-side 20 of the body is transverselycurved as indicated at 21 in Fig. 3 to conform to the shape of the padof the wearers thumb. Furthermore, the edge of the portion 2| at thelarge side of the 'body is preferably flared outwardly. as indicated at21".

Secured tothe inner face "of the section I 4 in the body portion I'haveshown a lining member .28 which is preferably'sheet cork. In Fig. 3, Ihave shown the inner face of thelining provided with a plurality of.rows of V-shaped grooves or knurling 29 .for forming .a friction grip.'If the linin'g 28 is omitted 'the .knurIing29 maybe provi'ded on'the'inner face of thesection l4.

In'Figs. 4, '5 and 6, I have indicated a modified "form 'of thumb pickgenerally at 30. The device 30 like the device 10 includes an ellipticalbodyportion 31 having a pick portion 32 extending therefrom adjacent oneend of the ellipse and at right angles to the axis of the ellipse.

"The device 30 is shown as made of two pieces "of celluloid '32" and 33each of which include indicated at 35 a predetermined distance where itterminates in an outwardly extending flange 3'! having an aperture 317'therein. Intermediate the width of the section 33 I provide a recess 38in the inner face thereof one end of which opens through the endadjacent the flange 31.

The section 32 like the section 33 curves outward and upward asindicated at 39 from the pick portion but in a more flattened curve. Thesection 32 then curves inward towards the section 33 and then curvesdownward as indicated at 40. The downwardly curved section 40 includes areduced tongue 4! which is positioned in the recess 38 of the section33. Extending outwardly from the curved portion 40 I provide an integrallug 42 having a square recess 53 therein which opens through the face ofthe lug 42, opposite the flange 31. The lug 42 further includes anaperture 44 which opens through the bottom of the recess 43. Positionedin the recess 43 I provide square nut 45 which is preferably cementedtherein.

Positioned in the aperture 31' of the flange 3'l I provide a bolt member46 which includes an enlarged head 41. The head 41 of the bolt engagesthe face of the flange 31 opposite the lug 42 and the shank of the boltextends through the lug aperture 44 and engages the threads of the nut41. Thus it will be seen that by rotating the bolt 46 in the correctdirection the portion 43 of the section 32 will be moved either towardsor away from the portion 36 of the section 33 thereby either increasingor decreasing the size of the elliptical body portion 31.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6 the sides of the body portion 3| convergetowards the end 48 to conform to the taper of a persons thumb similar tothe sides of the body l2 of the device In. Furthermore, the curved side39 of the body is transversely curved as indicated at 49 in Fig. 6 toconform to the shape of the pad of a persons thumb and the edge of theportions 33 and 40 at the large side of the body are preferably flaredoutwardly as indicated at 49'.

In Fig. 6, I have shown the inner face of the section 32 provided with aplurality of rows of V-shaped groove 49" for forming a friction grip.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I have indicated an index finger pick generally at50 which embodies the features of my invention. As shown the device 50is made of celluloid and includes an elliptical body portion 5| havingan integral pick portion 52 extending therefrom intermediate the ends ofthe ellipse and parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. The sides ofthe pick portion convergently curve towards the end thereof and the pickportion curves towards the opposite side of the body.

Opposite the pick portion 52 the body portion 5| terminates in spacedends 53 and 54 (see Fig. 9). Adjacent the end 53, the body includes anoutwardly extending integral flange 55 having an aperture 56 therein. Inthe inner face of the body adjacent the end 53 I provide a recess 51 oneend of which opens through the end 53 of the body.

Adjacent the end 54 of the body I provide an outwardly extendingintegral lug 58 which includes a square recess 59 which opens throughthe face of the lug opposite the flange 55. Furthermore, the lug 58includes an aperture 59 which opens through the bottom of the recess 59.Extending from the end 54 of the body on the same curvature as theadjacent portion. of the body I provide an integral reduced tonguemember 60 which is positioned in the body recess 51.

Positioned in the flange aperture 56 I provide a bolt 3! which includesan enlarged head 62. The head 32 engages the face of the flange 55 andthe shank of the bolt 6! extends through the aperture 59 in the lug 58and engages the threads of a square nut 62 positioned in the recess 59.Thus it will be apparent that when the bolt 6! is rotated in the correctdirection the end 54 of the body will be either moved towards or awayfrom the end 53 of the body thereby either increasing or decreasing thesize of the body portion 5!.

The sides of the body converge towards the pick portion 52 to conform tothe taper of a persons finger and the ends of the body 5| opposite the,pick are preferably flared outward as indicated The device 55 like thedevice I3 is shown as including a cork lining 54 which is cementedthereto and the lining is shown as including in its inner face aplurality of rows of V-shaped grooves or knurling 55 to form a frictiongrip. If desired the lining 54 may be omitted and the knurling 55provided on the inner face of the celluloid.

In Figs. 10 and 11, I have indicated a slightly modified form of fingerpick generally at 55. As shown the device 66 is similar to the device 53and the like portions thereof are indicated by similarly primedreference numerals. In the device 55 I provide an outstruck up lip 61 inthe body opposite the end 63' instead of the flange 55 and in the bodyadjacent the end 63' I provide a similar outstruck lip 68 instead of thelug 58.

For resiliently retaining the body portion 5! in a contracted position Iprovide a coiled spring 39 having loops it at the opposite ends. One ofthe loops E0 is positioned around the lip 31 and the other loop ispositioned around the lip 68. Thus the spring 59 normally retains thebody portion 5! in a contracted position but allows it to expand to fitvarious sized fingers.

In Figs. 12 and 13, I show a fragmentary view of a modified form ofgripping means. Instead of the V-shaped knurling 29 I provide aplurality of annular recesses 33 on the inner face of the device whichforms suction cup grips when the device is worn on a persons finger.Extending outward from the bottom of each of the recesses 53 I provide areduced frusto-conical boss portion 99 which terminates flush with theinner face of the device. These bosses 99 prevent the portions of apersons finger adjacent the recesses 93 from entering the recesses to adegree where it would. be uncomfortable for the person wearing thedevice. The edge of the recess 98 and the edge of the boss 39 arepreferably rounded to prevent them from cutting into a persons finger.

The recesses 98 may be provided on the inner faces of any of thepreviously described devices to form suction cup grips instead of theV-shaped knurling shown or similar recesses may be provided on the innerfaces of the previously described cork lining.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda novel pick for stringed musical instruments which is adjustable tovarious sizes of fingers, which is comfortable to wear and which ishighly efllcient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said bodyportion, said body portion terminating in end portions, there being arecess in the inner face of said body adjacent one of said body endportions and a portion of said body adjacent the other of said body endportions being positioned in said recess, and means to enlarge ordecrease the diameter of said body portion and to retain said body inthe position to which it is adjusted.

2. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons thumb, a pick portion extending from said body,said body terminating in end portions with said end portionslongitudinally overlapping, the side walls of said body being slightlyconvergently tapered towards one end and along the axis of said body toconform substantially to the taper of a persons thumb, the side wall ofsaid body which engages the pad of a persons thumb being transverselycurved to approximately conform to the shape of said thumb pad.

3. In a pick device for stringed musical instruments, a body portionadapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending fromsaid body portion, said body terminating in overlapping end portionsengaging each other and longitudinally movable relative one to theother, a nut member on said body adjacent one of said end portions, anoutwardly projecting flange on said body adjacent the other of said endportions, said flange having an aperture, a bolt positioned in saidflange aperture, the shank of said bolt having threads engaging thethreads of said nut member.

4. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said bodyportion, said body portion terminating in end portions, there being arecess in the inner face of said body adjacent one of said body endportions and a portion of said body adjacent the other of said body endportions being positioned in said recess.

5. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said bodyportion, said body terminating in end portions with said end portionslongitudinally overlapping, said body being flexible to allow expansionor contraction thereof to increase or decrease the diameter of saidbody, and resilient means to retain said body in a contracted position.

6. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body,said body having a plurality of inwardly facing recesses in the innerface thereof, said recesses being closed to the outer face of the bodywhereby they form suction cups.

7. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument,

a substantially elliptical body portion, said body portion being made oftwo pieces of sheet metal, one of said portions at one end beingtriangular in shape and plane and having the other end bent to form acurved substantially elliptical part, the other portion including aplane triangular portion at one end welded to the first mentionedtriangular end and having at the other end thereof a curved partoverlapping and movable along the other end of the said first mentionedportions, and means on said curved portions to hold them in engagementwith each other.

8. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a substantiallyelliptical body portion, said body portion being made of two pieces ofsheet metal, one of said portions at one end being triangular in shapeand plane and having the other end bent to form a curved substantiallyelliptical part, the other portion including a plane triangular portionat one end welded to the first mentioned triangular end and having atthe other end thereof a curved part overlapping and movable along theother end of the said first mentioned portion, said first curved portionhaving an outstruck lip thereon, a nut on said lip, a flange on the endof the said second curved part, said flange having an aperture thereinand a bolt passing through said aperture and engaging said nut.

9. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a substantiallyelliptical body portion, said body portion being made of two pieces ofsheet metal, one of said portions at one end being triangular in shapeand plane and having the other end bent to form a curved, substantiallyelliptical, part, the other portion including a plane triangular portionat one end welded to the first mentioned triangular end and having atthe other end thereof a curved part overlapping and movable along theother end of the said first mentioned portion, said first curved portionhaving an outstruck lip thereon, said lip being apertured and a nutwelded to said lip with the lip aperture aligned With the aperture inthe nut, a flange on the end of the said second curved part, said flangehaving an aperture therein and a bolt passing through said apertures andengaging said nut, the inner surface of said pick having a V-shapedknurling thereon.

10. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adaptedto encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body,said body having a plurality of substantially annular recesses in theinner surface thereof to form suction cups, each of said recesses havinga reduced frusto-conical boss extending outward from the bottom thereofand terminating approximately flush with the inner surface of said body.

RUDOLPH DOPYERA.

